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Colfax Trail

Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains
46.8906, -117.3837 Map & Directions
Length
6.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
260 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate
Take a gentle hike on an old railroad grade in Whitman County Park on the Colfax Trail/Palouse River. Photo by RichP. Full-size image
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
  • Good for kids
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage
  • Rivers

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None
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A hike on an old railroad grade through a Whitman County Park and wildlife preserve. Continue reading

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Hiking Colfax Trail

This trail runs along an old railroad grade through a scenic area just outside of Colfax. It is a Whitman County Park and nature preserve. Being a railroad grade there is virtually no elevation change so it's a nice walk for those who just want to saunter along a river bank and enjoy basalt cliffs and occasional wildlife. It's a quiet trail and accessible year-round. 

At the three-mile mark the trail dead ends where a bridge across the river no longer exists. A tunnel is visible on the other side but you'll have to wade the river to get there. 

The last 150 yards to the trailhead is best to walk when the road is wet as there is no gravel and Palouse mud is nothing to trifle with. 

Colfax Trail

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 46.8906, -117.3837 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Take WA-26 west from Colfax for 0.7 miles; just after crossing the bridge over the Palouse River, make a slight right onto gravel West River Drive. Follow it for 0.6 miles past an RV storage lot and the gravel mining operation to the gate at the end of the road, which marks the parking area. Note: signs indicate Whitman County Park property but say nothing of the Colfax Trail.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains

Whitman County Parks

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Colfax Trail

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